tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29135734648287188762018-08-02T03:57:53.546-04:00TINR TabletTemple Israel of New Rochelle. We are a community that adds meaning and purpose to modern lives through an inclusive approach to Judaism.
We live our Jewish values in our worship, celebration, lifelong learning and Tikkun Olam-the repair of the world.
Find out what's on the minds of those at Temple Israel (TINR) through our blog "TINR Tablet" ... and respond! Join us in discussions. Make comments! We want to hear you!Temple NewRochellenoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-85320774535467194872018-06-25T10:59:00.003-04:002018-06-25T10:59:52.132-04:00July 4th at Temple Israel of New RochelleDear <i>chevrei </i>(friends),<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUC-gDhZAXc/WzEC8QSx2CI/AAAAAAAAAsk/J3v6uW-XCUwTrq-qoyZQE23-aAoDleqnACLcBGAs/s1600/flag-4-1421191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUC-gDhZAXc/WzEC8QSx2CI/AAAAAAAAAsk/J3v6uW-XCUwTrq-qoyZQE23-aAoDleqnACLcBGAs/s320/flag-4-1421191.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In just a few days, July 4th, Independence Day, will be here and with it, the usual gaiety and frivolity that comes with celebrating a glorious moment in American history – world history, actually. I love the 4th of July. Unlike other patriotic holidays, such as Labor Day and Memorial Day, which sadly have lost their meaning to most Americans, as I have lamented in the past, I think this day is still true to form: outright celebration. And rightly so! We’ve earned it. The Declaration of Independence, and the chain of events it set in motion have truly changed the course of human history and I say that without even an iota of hesitation. The United States has been the catalyst for such good, positive and progressive change in our world, it would take volumes to recount.<br /><br />Of course, we’ve not had a flawless history. How could we? Our foundational documents, the Declaration and the US Constitution, left an entire race in the category of property and women as second class citizens. Those issues, thankfully, were remedied over time. As were so many others. What is special about the 4th of July is not merely that it marks the beginning of American history on the calendar, but that it marks the beginning of the history of a uniquely American way of meeting the world’s challenges – audaciously and radically for the better – that progress serves all, rich or poor, man or woman, black or white.<br /><br />I’m not my usual euphoric American self this year. Our uniquely American spirit has been diverted off of the trajectory of our history. This year’s 4th of July cannot celebrate our progressive society, we’ve become so regressive. As I write this, the news is filled with horrific images and sounds of children separated from their parents as they desperately seek to enter America as a safe haven – the same reason, one way or another, we all wound up here. But, this, sadly, is only the latest example of a regressive set of policies that seem so palpably un-American. We are a country of immigrants and refugees and now we’re turning our back on that heritage. My children are Americans of Russian-Polish-Hungarian-Rumanian-Syrian-Israeli descent. This 4th of July, how can they celebrate what has become of the melting pot? We’re also a country that has worked hard to build a shared society, with civil rights for all, yet, now, it seems the idea of racial equality is under attack at every turn – from Nazis with torches marching in the streets to Nazis running for the US Senate. What has been creeping out of the shadows these days is nothing to celebrate on this 4th of July. It is also feeling particularly hard to celebrate the end of British tyrannical rule over our American ancestors when our current democratic allies are dismissed at every turn in favor of the glorification of today’s tyrants, despots and dictators. Jefferson must be rolling over in his Monticello grave!<br /><br />What is most distressing to me is what this all means for us Jews. I’m not a Henny Penny who’s wont to claim that the sky is falling and that there are anti-Semitic bogeymen lurking around every corner – just the contrary. Part of what makes the 4th of July such a great day for the Jews is that it was the first domino to fall in what would be the most flourishing and free space for us to live openly as Jews in the history of the world – more so even than ancient or modern Israel! America has been good to the Jews and the Jews have been very good to America in return. An open progressive society has benefitted us as much, if not more, than any group who has made this country home. Until less than a century ago, our Reform ancestors referred to this country as The New Promised Land, eschewing Zionism since we’d already found the ideal homeland, according to them.<br /><br />If the sky isn’t falling, it’s got some big cracks in it, that is for sure. While we Jews know what progressive American freedoms have meant for minorities, we also know, all too well, what happens when open societies turn regressive. It ended self-rule in our ancient homeland 2,000 years ago – nearly wiping Judaism out altogether. It led to the end of the Golden Age of Judaism in Spain, bringing centuries of the Jewish good life to an end – by the sword, forced conversion or expulsion. It led to the Shoah, in the heartland of the Enlightenment, Germany and Austria, nearly exterminating the entire European Jewish community.<br />Will that happen here? I certainly hope not. In the past, I would have said never. I’m not so sure any longer. The tell-tale signs are piling up all around us these days.<br /><br />So what should we make of this 4th of July? I’d start by re-reading the Declaration of Independence, it is an amazing document, still. Read it through your own eyes, today. Celebrate that it is ours, uniquely ours, and then think about how you can work to help our country live up to its ideals. After all, that statement of principles was just a piece of paper. It was the people that made it come to life. The first Americans. We, the newest Americans, are just as responsible for ensuring its vitality into the future. So this 4th of July, I’ll still be celebrating, but also thinking about my role in living up to Jefferson’s words: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.” I’m not one for overthrowing the government. But altering it? I’m all in. It’s the American thing to do.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIm9GfaEsQ/VVSGkSoDXxI/AAAAAAAAAVY/OkapqlO17rQKmTBpuGbMAz83LiA7ntoigCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/weiner_sig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="48" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIm9GfaEsQ/VVSGkSoDXxI/AAAAAAAAAVY/OkapqlO17rQKmTBpuGbMAz83LiA7ntoigCPcBGAYYCw/s200/weiner_sig.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Rabbi Scott Weiner<br /><br />Note: The Temple Office, Kehillah School, and Camp Pinebrook will be Closed on Wednesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-76339382434312465342018-05-23T15:43:00.000-04:002018-05-24T16:22:10.938-04:00Our Commitment to Community - Shavuot Passing, Camp Pinebrook BeginningAs May comes to an end, the echoes of a moving <b>Shavuot </b>and confirmation service are still reverberating in my mind. Despite my being the cantor, I’m not actually referring to the beautiful music (although much of our festival music is indeed beautiful and powerful). Rather, what made this Shavuot and confirmation so powerful were the primary participants: our confirmands.<br /><br />Sixteen 10th graders were confirmed during Shavuot. It is not a coincidence that our tradition places confirmation on the holiday that celebrates the gift of Torah. We as a people received Torah at Sinai, and year after year, our 15- and 16-year-olds actively receive it again and confirm their commitment to Torah. The confirmation tradition and Shavuot holiday make a strong case for the Jewish sense of community. We don’t just celebrate a book (Torah); we celebrate its power as the defining source and guide for our entire people,<i> l’dor vador,</i> from generation to generation. If you know any of our confirmands, or if you witnessed them chant our sacred books, lead prayers, sing and play music of worship or express themselves through personal, confirmation statements, then you know the strength of each individual. They stood up as a community; but sixteen unique individuals confirmed their commitment to both our synagogue and the Jewish community at large.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZAnYgL-Cns/WwXCrKhkFfI/AAAAAAAAAr8/mCbMRsjZaPAtjBPvbWO05YDU_euFEDK5ACLcBGAs/s1600/pinebrook-logo-final-Hi-Resolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZAnYgL-Cns/WwXCrKhkFfI/AAAAAAAAAr8/mCbMRsjZaPAtjBPvbWO05YDU_euFEDK5ACLcBGAs/s200/pinebrook-logo-final-Hi-Resolution.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>On June 3rd, at 4:00 pm, we celebrate another powerful commitment to community as we officially open Camp Pinebrook with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony</b> <i>(see invite below)</i>. The opening of our camp will not only strengthen the Temple Israel community, but the Jewish People! Study after study shows that a Jewish camp experience is the greatest indicator for lasting Jewish engagement. How many of you have vivid memories of special moments at camp and lifelong friendships? Commitment to camp doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t continue to encourage a diverse involvement in Jewish life such as a religious school education and participation in Shabbat and other holiday observances, both at home and at the synagogue. But if we truly want to cultivate engaged&nbsp; Jewish adults, the future of our people, then meaningful camp experience could be the most important thing we do. The Reform movement understands this, creating more and more URJ camps of all kinds and placing a great emphasis on youth engagement. How wonderful that within our Temple we are doing the same.<br /><br />But Camp Pinebrook does not only serve community, it takes the support of our community to make it happen. Our camp staff (really the entire Temple staff), led by Jesse Gallop, is working diligently to create both a beautiful camp facility and great programs. And, our lay leaders are equally committed and involved—this is no small endeavor. But it requires all of us. Many have given time, expertise and money to ensure the success of this community project.<br /><br /><b>If you would like to donate, there is still time! Visit <a href="http://www.tinr.org/donation">www.tinr.org/donation</a> to give.</b><br /><br />Also, join us on June 3rd as we stand as a community to support our new camp, and know that through this project we are strengthening both Temple Israel and the people of Israel.<br /><br />Let us go from strength to strength,<br /><br />Cantor Randall Schloss<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3S1YcCgZLfA/WwXDIqC5esI/AAAAAAAAAsE/-12ORm4jyWkraBLfAU7h55KbPSUR-HOUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ribbon%2BCutting%2BInvitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1153" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3S1YcCgZLfA/WwXDIqC5esI/AAAAAAAAAsE/-12ORm4jyWkraBLfAU7h55KbPSUR-HOUwCLcBGAs/s640/Ribbon%2BCutting%2BInvitation.jpg" width="459" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-62009687328414437712018-05-02T10:29:00.001-04:002018-05-02T10:29:23.920-04:00Shavuot - Confirmation - Community 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIMRv34MNLA/WunKQHu92dI/AAAAAAAAArU/Y_XVKearMbwOs9j0bh4bonPZpzoJZIACACLcBGAs/s1600/ear-1409008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIMRv34MNLA/WunKQHu92dI/AAAAAAAAArU/Y_XVKearMbwOs9j0bh4bonPZpzoJZIACACLcBGAs/s200/ear-1409008.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-faspZB2sspg/WunKQTV0TqI/AAAAAAAAArc/p5CtF3-6JxQ1hmNSAQD6vZXeQSK8PLoVACLcBGAs/s1600/field-1323339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-faspZB2sspg/WunKQTV0TqI/AAAAAAAAArc/p5CtF3-6JxQ1hmNSAQD6vZXeQSK8PLoVACLcBGAs/s200/field-1323339.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOO40_fFMsc/WunKQPgEzDI/AAAAAAAAArY/E5HiKhhgbmE1CSS0FeQPCY2jxYGxCHY7QCLcBGAs/s1600/golden-wheat-1326335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOO40_fFMsc/WunKQPgEzDI/AAAAAAAAArY/E5HiKhhgbmE1CSS0FeQPCY2jxYGxCHY7QCLcBGAs/s200/golden-wheat-1326335.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We start out the Confirmation year by having our teens read from <i>The Faith of Israel: A Guide for Confirmation</i>, published by the Reform movement in 1917. This guide uses phrases such as<i> “old-time Bar Mitzwa”</i> and <i>“good Jews and Jewesses.”</i> I love starting with these excerpts because the language makes the teens giggle, but it also helps the teens place themselves in the history of the Jewish community. This year’s Confirmation class will be the 106th Confirmation class at Temple Israel, joining thousands of young people who have pledged their commitment to Judaism standing before our congregation on the holiday of Shavuot.<br /><br />To understand the placement of Confirmation on the holiday of Shavuot, it is important to know the dual meaning of Shavuot. The Faith of Israel describes it in the following way: <i>It was the first harvest festival of the year, and the people gave thanks for the yield of the land. Besides, it was observed in memory of the giving of the Law at Sinai, and the people gave thanks for the gift of the Law. Both meanings of the Feast of Shavuot are important. On the one hand, we commemorate Israel’s receiving of the Law. On the other, we give the first-fruits of our spiritual life to God. Therefore, we have set Shavuot aside as the day for Confirmation.</i><br /><br />Our confirmands symbolically celebrate the two meanings of Shavuot, both through the Confirmation year as well as through leading the celebration of their Confirmation on Shavuot itself. By choosing to participate in Confirmation, young people&nbsp; symbolically receive the Torah at Sinai by studying Jewish tradition and declaring its place in their lives. They also symbolically offer their "first-fruits" by articulating their individual understandings of God and prayer, and choosing for themselves elements of Jewish practice that add meaning to their lives.<br /><br />Shavuot, however, is not a holiday only for Confirmation students. The dual meanings of Shavuot issue an invitation to each one of us to consider, and confirm, the role that Judaism plays in our lives. We can each ask of ourselves, how do I receive Torah in my life? and, how do I offer the fruits of my spiritual life through prayer or action? Whether you celebrated your Confirmation or not, we can all see Shavuot as an opportunity to stand at Sinai and confirm our Jewish identities and commitments.<br /><br />If we need further inspiration, May is a month full of celebrating exemplars of Jewish life in our community. At the 110th Anniversary Gala on May 5 we will celebrate the illustrious history of our community along with Cantor Helene Reps, Beverly Hoffmann and Amy Bass; three women who repeatedly confirm their Judaism through a diversity of volunteer activities, on-going study and religious expression. On May 11, we will bless our High School Graduates, young adults who have expressed their Judaism in the classroom, on the bimah, as role models to our children, in our youth groups and on the basketball court. And on May 19 and 20, as we celebrate the receiving of Torah at Mount Sinai, we will be led in worship by our newest class of Confirmands.<br /><br />May this month be a month when we are all inspired to stand again at Sinai and receive Torah for ourselves, each in our own way.<br /><br />L'Shalom,<br />Rabbi Beth Nichols<br /><br /><i>For more information on celebrating Shavuot, <a href="http://www.tinr.org/shavuot2018" target="_blank">click here</a>!</i><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-54610886549866921202018-02-15T17:16:00.000-05:002018-02-15T17:16:06.984-05:00Yom Huledet Samech l'vashingtone (Happy Birthday to Washington)!<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK49" style="background-color: white; color: black; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="MainText Content" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; padding: 10px 22px 7px 27px;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kwtCHtjh3ZQ/WoYGW98oEbI/AAAAAAAAAq4/qLCHdToWutw6FpSUVKis61olWAfT8f0UwCLcBGAs/s1600/usa-flag-5-1444783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kwtCHtjh3ZQ/WoYGW98oEbI/AAAAAAAAAq4/qLCHdToWutw6FpSUVKis61olWAfT8f0UwCLcBGAs/s320/usa-flag-5-1444783.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><em><br /></em></div><div><em>"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,"</em>&nbsp;declared Shakespeare's Juliet about her beloved Romeo. The upshot of this line is to imply that names do not matter, actions do.&nbsp; While I am in full support of the notion that actions mean quite a lot - a notion that Jewish values completely supports - I believe that names are equally important and so does Judaism. For the ancient rabbis, it was a near heresy to quote Jewish law without giving the appropriate attribution to the rabbi who conceived the law or legal concept. It was considered theft! Perhaps this was an early version of intellectual property rights, but it seems that it went far deeper than just giving credit where credit was due. A name, when given the proper respect will endure forever.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><em>Yad Vashem</em>, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, &nbsp;derives its very name from this concept.&nbsp; People who have a working knowledge of Hebrew might assume that the words&nbsp;<em>yad vashem</em>&nbsp;mean "hand and name." But, a&nbsp;<em>yad</em>&nbsp;is not only a hand in biblical Hebrew, it is a monument and&nbsp;<em>shem</em>&nbsp;is not just a name - but a name that endures. The words&nbsp;<em>yad vashem</em>&nbsp;come directly from a verse in the Book of Isaiah,&nbsp;<em>"I will give them, in My house, and within My walls, a monument and a name - better than sons and daughters, I will give them an everlasting name which shall not perish."</em>&nbsp;(56: 5) The establishment of&nbsp;<em>Yad Vashem</em>, the museum, was meant to be both the place of the Jewish people's permanent monument to victims of the Holocaust, but also a place where names would endure forever, fulfilling the Jewish value of remembering the dead even when there remains no family to mourn them.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>I bring this up, this week, because on Monday the United States will celebrate Presidents Day. Except, we aren't celebrating Presidents Day at all - there is no US holiday with such a name! That is the colloquial name for the day, but, in truth, the holiday is Washington's Birthday (he was born on February 22), established officially as a memorial day on Washington's first birthday after he died in 1800. In 1885, Washington's Birthday was, by law, established as a federal holiday. For the last four decades, however, we have celebrated it, not on February 22nd, but on the third Monday in February (to give us all a three day weekend). This created the false notion that it was meant to commemorate both Washington and Lincoln (who's birthday is the 12th), which some states, like Lincoln's home of Illinois, already celebrated. As time marched on, people started to refer to it as Presidents Day, and thus, began to lump all the presidents into one omnibus holiday - even the short lived, scandal filled, philandering Warren G. Harding!</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>This is what flies in the face of the Jewish concept of creating a&nbsp;<em>yad vashem</em>&nbsp;(not THE&nbsp;<em>Yad Vashem</em>) - that some individuals deserve both physical monuments and to have a name that endures forever.&nbsp; We can all agree that some presidents are worthy of neither a monument, nor an enduring reputation! We might not all agree on which presidents fall on which list, but I think we are unanimous in that George Washington was worthy. He was worthy not only as the first president for our country, but because of the ideals he represented. Washington had every reason not to volunteer for his role as General and later as President. He was a wealthy land owner, who could have been like most of his fellow gentry, who sided with the British merely to protect their own interests. Later, after two terms as President, he could have been president for life, as many wished he would be, but he refused in recognition that we did not want dictators, but elected officials with finite days as leader of our nation. Add to his bravery, kindness and honesty, among other laudable qualities. These are the characteristics which led both to the Washington Monument, and his name being given an enduring memorial by having his birthday made the only federal holiday named for a President of the United States.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>For we Jews, Washington set an important precedent, that we would be treated as equals here in the new Promised Land. He set that tone in his letter to the Jewish community in Newport, Rhode Island, which I have excerpted here:</div><br /><div style="margin-left: 30px;"><em>The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy - a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.</em></div><div style="margin-left: 30px;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="margin-left: 30px;"><em>It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.</em></div><div style="margin-left: 30px;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="margin-left: 30px;"><em>May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants - while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid. [as quoted from the prophet Micah 4:4)</em></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>So, while many of our fellow citizens will celebrate Presidents Day this Monday, I would encourage you to celebrate Washington's Birthday. Names matter. Washington mattered - for us Jewish Americans, for all Americans. His ideals seem to matter more today than ever.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Shabbat shalom and&nbsp;<em>Yom Huledet Samech l'vashingtone</em>&nbsp;(Happy Birthday to Washington),</div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK48" style="background-color: white; color: black; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="MainText Content" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; padding: 10px 22px 7px 27px;" valign="top"><img alt="Weiner Signature" border="0" height="49" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.162" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/e3071837001/14b9a25e-d715-49d5-b427-9595f0a4cf4a.jpg" vspace="5" width="200" /><br />Scott Weiner</td></tr></tbody></table>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-68642089212954902722018-01-05T10:53:00.001-05:002018-01-08T12:47:44.856-05:00Songs That Changed the World Music Benefit at Temple Israel!<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHBt4IAoex0/Wk53Kt2c49I/AAAAAAAAAqE/SW7f4C9p-sURJwFbNYxYCMbxnlQIRfLPgCLcBGAs/s1600/Music%2BBenefit%2BInvitation%2BJanuary%2B27%2B2018_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHBt4IAoex0/Wk53Kt2c49I/AAAAAAAAAqE/SW7f4C9p-sURJwFbNYxYCMbxnlQIRfLPgCLcBGAs/s400/Music%2BBenefit%2BInvitation%2BJanuary%2B27%2B2018_Page_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Temple Israel of New Rochelle Presents</span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“Songs that Changed the World” Concert </span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">From rituals of mourning to exuberant celebrations, from rebellion to times of healing, history has always had a soundtrack to mark key events, figures, and movements. A concert at </span><u><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Temple Israel of New Rochelle</span></u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">, January 26 will highlight how music has reflected and inspired change throughout history.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Temple Israel’s Cantor Randall Schloss, who initiated the concert concept as the perfect way to showcase the recent renovation of the sanctuary, said, “Music gives voice to the important events in history in ways that are digestible and memorable and often expresses meaning beyond mere words.” </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Cantors Erik Contzius, Shira Ginsburg and soprano and Cantor Schloss’ wife Leah Schloss perform to the accompaniment of organist Christopher Creaghan, pianist Isaac Ben Ayala and oboist Alan Hollander. Temple Israel’s youth choir Kol Simcha, will sing an original composition, “This is Just a Song (But a Song can Change the World!)”</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">A Musical Journey that Changed Our World</span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The evening presents a musical journey with a variety of songs focused on change, including within the world of music itself. The program features: “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s <i>Oklahoma</i>, that integrated plot and song in a revolutionary way, to the contemporary, ground-breaking <i>Hamilton</i>, in which Lin-Manuel Miranda tells the story of the “founding father without a father,” blending hip-hop with traditional ensemble pieces. </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Selections from <i>Fiddler on the Roof</i>, about a traditional village adapting to a changing world, and from <i>West Side Story</i> will be performed. “In <i>West Side Story</i>, we have music that blurs traditional lines between musical theater and classical music,” says Schloss. “It’s appealing like pop music with the depth of expression of opera. And it introduced the world to the brilliant lyrics of Stephen Sondheim.”</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The program also includes selections from Joni Mitchell to Bob Dylan that perhaps best encapsulate music with overt political messages, from the civil rights and human rights movements. “We Shall Overcome,” for example, an anthem with gospel roots that helped expand the work of civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., was first sung by striking tobacco workers in South Carolina in the 1940s and has been recorded by everyone from Odetta to Joan Baez, Pete Seeger to the Jewish Young Singers.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">But protest music didn’t start or end in the 1950s and 1960s. The stark “Strange Fruit,” written by Bronx schoolteacher Abel Meeropol (Lewis Allen), the son of Russian Jewish immigrants who adopted the Rosenberg children, was recorded in 1939 by Billie Holiday. This haunting anti-lynching song is one of the earliest and boldest political statements of American culture. At Café Society in New York, one of the first integrated nightclubs in the country, Holiday closed her set with it each evening, while waiters stopped service, and the lights were dimmed, while Ms. Holiday closed her eyes as some patrons walked out in disgust. </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Just as Holiday considered performing “Strange Fruit” a sacred responsibility, notes of social justice ring throughout the music of the world’s religions. The program will also explore the original musical prayers, the Psalms in settings from Middle Eastern music to gospel, reggae and spirituals.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Following the concert in Temple Israel’s sanctuary, a dessert reception will be open to all. </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Temple Israel of New Rochelle, 1000 Pinebrook Blvd., New Rochelle, will present “Songs That Changed the World,” Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 7:30pm. </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The concert is a benefit to raise funds to support music programming at Temple Israel, including its youth and adult choirs. Tickets are $36 for adults, $18 for students and seniors, and $5 for children, with tots under 6 free. Special ticket packages with reserved seating and recognition in the concert program are available, as are ticket sponsorships for those otherwise unable to attend. For more information and tickets call 914.235.1800 or visit: </span><u><span style="color: #7f007f; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.tinr.org/SongsThatChangedTheWorld">www.tinr.org/SongsThatChangedTheWorld</a></span></u><o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr></tbody></table><div class="story-body-text" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-54038262892355979072017-12-04T15:13:00.000-05:002017-12-04T15:44:35.385-05:00Chanukah is Here at Temple Israel! Join us!<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.0" style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; white-space: pre-line;">Chanukah is only 2 weeks away ...<span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.0" style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; white-space: pre-line;">So why not share it with Temple Israel!&nbsp;</span></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.0" style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; white-space: pre-line;">Visit www.</span><a data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.$0" href="http://tinr.org/chanukah-2017" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: #187aad; cursor: pointer; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial; outline: none 0px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-line;" target="_blank">tinr.org/chanukah-2017</a><span data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.2" style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; white-space: pre-line;"> to see how Temple Israel's services and events will make your Chanukah festive and spiritual. There are opportunities to worship, sing, cook, hike, learn and give ... click on the link above, and see how and sign up today!</span></span></h2><div><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.2" style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; white-space: pre-line;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOkyksm3NCI/WiWsJHavsmI/AAAAAAAAAoc/wHeYIxgcMuIZEAVAdOm_n4XPUZBlSxrKwCLcBGAs/s1600/Chanukah%2B2017%2BBooklet_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1033" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOkyksm3NCI/WiWsJHavsmI/AAAAAAAAAoc/wHeYIxgcMuIZEAVAdOm_n4XPUZBlSxrKwCLcBGAs/s320/Chanukah%2B2017%2BBooklet_Page_1.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.2" style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; white-space: pre-line;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-reactid=".4.2.$lazyPlaceholder_instagram_1662600381757959949_1589061241.2.2.0.0.0.2" style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot;; white-space: pre-line;"><br /></span></span></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-58698630095806492412017-11-13T15:44:00.002-05:002017-11-13T15:51:06.071-05:00Camp Pinebrook is Coming ... Open House: Sunday December 3rd, Noon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8aYr0FoWec/WgoCdTZEdHI/AAAAAAAAAnk/CUVxnPvfaXoaX-Uf8c1J6DObCpd4btTVQCLcBGAs/s1600/camp-pinebrook-postcard-open-house-dec-2017-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8aYr0FoWec/WgoCdTZEdHI/AAAAAAAAAnk/CUVxnPvfaXoaX-Uf8c1J6DObCpd4btTVQCLcBGAs/s640/camp-pinebrook-postcard-open-house-dec-2017-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Camp Pinebrook at Temple Israel of New Rochelle</b> is where children (ages 4-8) make friends, build skills and have fun in a vibrant community infused with Jewish values. So learn more about the program, the facilities and meet the leadership team!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Camp Pinebrook is an inclusive child-centered day camp with a wide variety of activities - from sports &amp; games, crafts &amp; music to swimming and outdoor adventure. This camp offers fun, immersive Reform Jewish experiences that empower children to better themselves and their communities. Located on the grounds of Temple Israel of New Rochelle, camp facilities sit on 15 wooded acres centrally located in lower Westchester County.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Come join us on Sunday, December 3rd ... and see why we're excited about Camp Pinebrook!</div><br /><br />Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-221433961921247672017-09-27T15:20:00.003-04:002017-10-04T10:25:02.905-04:00Rabbi Weiner's Sabbatical "The little things do matter."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As I write this, I am just a few days back into my regular schedule after my summer sabbatical. Even in these few days, lots of you have asked me if my time away was what I had hoped it would be and if there was some great take-away from the experience of a prolonged absence from the day to day of my professional life. In short, the answers are yes and yes, without a doubt. <br /><br />Indeed, the sabbatical (including the part in the spring) was all I had hoped for. It was a great gift from the congregation to both recognize the regular commitment of time on my part to Temple Israel and the value for me, my family and the congregation, for me to have a chance to recharge the batteries. This summer, I got to do many things that I have not had the chance to do in a long time – or ever! <br /><br />In the early part of the summer, I got to volunteer, as I always do, at the URJ Kutz Camp. This summer however, I was able to be there for nearly the entire session of camp – something I haven’t done since I was a student, nearly 20 years ago. My service to camp, as the faculty dean, has never felt more helpful to camp and, at the same time, it has never felt more fulfilling to me. The weeks there were not just about the teaching and programming for which I was responsible. It allowed me to make more and deeper relationships with campers and staff alike. Likewise, it was so wonderful to have those weeks with colleagues from around the world. I got to learn and be inspired by their work in their communities and be moved by the kinds of collaborations that occur when excellent rabbis, cantors and educators come together in a camp environment. On the one hand, I was there to volunteer, but on the other, I gained so much from being there for such a long stint. It will be hard to be back there only for one week next year!<br /><br />For the remaining six weeks of the summer, I had the gift of spending nearly all day, every day, with both of my daughters, something that hasn’t happened – ever! Some of you may be wondering if I’m being truthful, but I promise I am! I love being a rabbi and serving the Jewish community, but that comes with a trade-off of having an atypical schedule. I serve the community most nights and weekends. The six weeks with my daughters was an opportunity to just be a dad without running out to meetings at odd hours, or being the one dad on the soccer field in a suit and tie! Before leaving for Israel, we used that time to take day trips all over the New York area. We went to the Statue of Liberty (where I hadn’t been since 5th grade), national parks, museums, a Broadway show, lunches and walks and so much more. At night, we got to have dinner as a family and on weekends we spent time with family and friends. Being a one man daddy day camp was tiring, but I cherished it!<br /><br />And then we went to Israel for a month, where our daily journeys to and fro in that country were amazing as well. Israel may be a small country, but even we, who have been to Israel countless times, still find new places and sites to visit as well as our favorite haunts that we never miss. We went to Israel’s biggest yogurt and pudding factory (Israelis eat an average of 2 per capita, per day, so this is a place of national importance!), lots of beaches, an escape room (you try doing that in a non-native language!), we made art with our family’s favorite Israeli artist in her private studio, we went to a stalactite cave, explored the treasures of Jerusalem, I got to run with my daughter in 95 degree weather (even less fun than it sounds), ate donuts at our favorite Arab bakery in the heart of Old Jaffa and so much more. Limor and I even got away for a vacation on our own to celebrate our 20 years together.<br /><br />So yes, I got to do everything I wanted to do on my sabbatical. The great take-away, however, wasn’t grand, but it was profound. The little things do matter. Having the time to do important and meaningful things, not in the minutes or days one finds in between the other things, but doing them solely for the enjoyment of them, was amazing. It has given me insight, at this time of year, on how I’d like to prioritize my time – doing more things, more often, that I love, with those I love. I can’t wait another seven years to make the space for such important things. With the New Year just begun, I hope I live up to it! I hope this year is, for you too, a year of doing things you love and being with those you love, more than ever. Make the time, it’s worth it!<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIm9GfaEsQ/VVSGkSoDXxI/AAAAAAAAAVY/OkapqlO17rQKmTBpuGbMAz83LiA7ntoigCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/weiner_sig.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="48" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIm9GfaEsQ/VVSGkSoDXxI/AAAAAAAAAVY/OkapqlO17rQKmTBpuGbMAz83LiA7ntoigCPcBGAYYCw/s200/weiner_sig.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Rabbi Scott WeinerTemple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-90584456070697995522017-08-31T10:08:00.002-04:002017-10-04T10:25:09.889-04:00Hurricane Harvey ... How Are You Helping?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Dear <i>chevrei</i> (friends),</div><div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />Ah, unhappy, storm-tossed soul, with none to comfort you: I will make garnets your building-stones, and sapphires your foundations.</i></div><div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">Two weeks ago, these were the opening words of the Haftarah portion from the prophet Isaiah. And now, there are millions of Americans storm-tossed by Hurricane Harvey. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by the storm as well as those on the ground providing aid and shelter. Reports are only beginning to quantify the amount of destruction, making it clear that recovery will be long and difficult.<br /><br />Many in our community are looking for ways to provide assistance to the communities affected by the storm. In relief efforts following natural disasters there is often confusion about how best to provide help. In this case, the challenge is compounded by the ongoing rain and flooding, making it difficult to assess the damage.</div><div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">With help from the Social Action Committee, we have compiled a short list of organizations that we know are directly working with storm victims and have immediate needs. We encourage you to give generously to these and other organizations.</div><ol _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><li><a _mce_href="https://urj.org/hurricane-harvey" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://urj.org/hurricane-harvey" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank">URJ Greene Family Camp</a>: The Reform Movement's camp in Texas is spearheading two different initiatives. They have opened up the camp facility for families who need shelter. They are also organizing "Hurricane Harvey Houston Day Camp." In addition to providing a full day of supervision and activities for kids whose parents need to focus on storm recovery, the Day Camp will be serving families meals.</li><li> <a _mce_href="http://www.texasdiaperbank.org/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.texasdiaperbank.org/" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank">Texas Diaper Bank</a>: The Texas Diaper Bank helps families all year long, but are receiving a tremendous volume of requests from displaced families in need of diapers. </li><li><a _mce_href="http://www.foodbankcc.com/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.foodbankcc.com/" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline !important;" target="_blank">Food Bank of Corpus Christi</a>: The Food Bank is focused on getting food and water to displaced families.</li></ol><div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">There are two Reform congregations in Houston, Congregation Emanu El and Congregation Beth Israel. While they are still compiling data on the impact of the storm on their families, we do know that Beth Israel suffered extensive damage to its building, including the sanctuary flooding. Emanu El's building suffered only minor damage and will be hosting the day camp described above. In the coming weeks we will let you know if there are specific ways that we can help these congregations recover. We are especially proud of the work that Rabbi Josh Fixler, grandson of our member Thelma Fixler, is doing to provide comfort to his community in his first year as a rabbi at Congregation Emanu El.</div><div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">In the Haftarah portion this week, also from the prophet Isaiah, God tells the people, "with love unending I take you in." May those forced to flee their homes by Hurricane Harvey feel this love through the actions of brave first-responders, kind neighbors, compassionate volunteers, and generous donors.</div><div><br />With great hope,</div><img _mce_src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/e3071837001/72870c22-d50d-4cb0-81e5-cd6cf5536035.jpg" alt="Rabbi Nichols signature" border="0" height="43" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.145" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/e3071837001/72870c22-d50d-4cb0-81e5-cd6cf5536035.jpg" vspace="5" width="100" /><br />Rabbi NicholsTemple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-59486664468813133722017-06-26T19:27:00.001-04:002017-06-26T19:27:23.689-04:00What Have I Learned My First Year as Your Cantor?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkKVE8IvS2Y/WVGWZsDXD7I/AAAAAAAAAlo/zr3Crja1cN4GCDmTxyVzdH3Tfo4-jC3ZgCLcBGAs/s1600/clergy-working-the-new-sanctuary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="946" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkKVE8IvS2Y/WVGWZsDXD7I/AAAAAAAAAlo/zr3Crja1cN4GCDmTxyVzdH3Tfo4-jC3ZgCLcBGAs/s320/clergy-working-the-new-sanctuary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>As I write this article, I am thinking back to this time last year when I was writing to introduce myself to the community. Well, I have now been your cantor for a year. I have gotten to know many of you, I have learned from you and I look forward to getting to know you better over the coming year. And I hope that many of you have gotten to know me, and that you have learned from me as well. But I want to focus on some of the things I have learned during my first year as your cantor:</b><br /><br /><h3><span style="color: purple;"><b>You love this community.</b></span></h3><br />That’s a strong but true statement. The only vague part is who “you” is. I’ll start with the congregation at large. Some of you regularly attend services. Some of you volunteer and commit time and talent to TINR. Some of you donate generously. Whatever your involvement, time and again you have shown how much you care about your community.<br />And the clergy and staff love this community. It is refreshing and energizing to work with colleagues who share such a strong commitment to this community. I enjoy working with all of my colleagues here at TINR and I am strengthened by their individual efforts and the overall commitment of the team.<br /><br /><h3><span style="color: purple;"><b>You love music.</b></span></h3>So many of you have shared your sincere appreciation for what I bring to this community, musically and otherwise. And the comments go well beyond typical praise. Clearly this congregation is made up of insightful and thoughtful appreciators of music and worship. This is not to say that I am not questioned or criticized on occasion. But those comments too show a love and respect for the role of music in the synagogue. I don’t expect everyone uniformly to love all the music we do here, but I certainly appreciate the passion that so many of you show for music in its infinite variety. <br />Many of you have also chosen to participate in creating music for our services. Whether you sing in one of our choirs, play instruments or have helped to lead through chanting our sacred texts, you have joined me in uplifting the community in song and prayer. In music, as in all things, we are stronger together.<br /><br /><br /><h3><span style="color: purple;"><b>You love this building.</b></span></h3><br />We are lucky to inhabit such a beautiful building, designed by Percival Goodman in 1962. Clearly the mid-century modern architecture impacts the identity of our community—just look at our logo. It’s not a menorah or other Jewish symbol, but a stylized image of our building. But a building of this age, designed for a very different community more than 55 years ago, must change. How exciting that this summer we are able to renovate our sanctuary, thanks to the Raizen and Fadem families and their generous support. See all the pictures below!<br /><br />Keeping with the ideals of Reform Judaism, we do not ignore our history. We seek to adapt and renovate in a way that respects the sanctity of the original design but allows the sanctuary to remain relevant and functional for contemporary worship. Besides an aesthetic freshening-up of the space, our renovation will lower the bimah, creating a stronger bond between congregation and clergy. The barriers between our synagogue musicians and the bimah will be removed, creating a direct connection between me and the other musicians, and a stronger bond between all of our musicians and the congregation. The more gracious space for musicians will also accommodate a grand piano, allowing us to create more varied musical worship. The sanctuary and bimah will become accessible to all with a ramp to the bimah and an integrated listening assistance system for the hearing impaired. The fixed pews will be replaced by flexible seating, allowing for unique seating arrangements that may suit a particular service or event. Improved lighting will enhance the worship experience for all.<br /><br />By the time you are reading this, the renovation will already be underway. I encourage you to stop by the lobby to have a look at our renderings for the newly renovated sanctuary. And most importantly, mark your calendars for Shabbat evening, September 15 as we rededicate our sanctuary prior to the High Holidays.<br /><br />Come Rosh Hashanah, we will be able to sing with full hearts,<i> “Hashiveinu Adonai eilecha, v’nashuvah. Chadeish yameinu k’kedem.”</i> Return us to You, Adonai, and we will return. Renew our days, as before. May this summer be a time of renewal for all.<br /><br />L’shalom,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIlm3hKVoqE/V2qZ1t4vhZI/AAAAAAAAAeY/RTevVdFrUc44uXVQ8J9kJY1Y7b1lY6NfgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/randall-schloss.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="600" height="82" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIlm3hKVoqE/V2qZ1t4vhZI/AAAAAAAAAeY/RTevVdFrUc44uXVQ8J9kJY1Y7b1lY6NfgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/randall-schloss.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cantor Schloss<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXv04MHi6K8/WVGWaQsis3I/AAAAAAAAAls/mAkhSOFVvq4al3xGjLiv5vuc-DgvncdfgCLcBGAs/s200/new-sanctuary-design-2017.jpg" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Architect's Rendering</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRisojCUVyM/WVGWcRXTAWI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vyhwYNRyygAMKuCAcMCSM9YjoJc-HIfygCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_9243.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRisojCUVyM/WVGWcRXTAWI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vyhwYNRyygAMKuCAcMCSM9YjoJc-HIfygCLcBGAs/s200/DSC_9243.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxTv4lG4YFA/WVGWcJLquwI/AAAAAAAAAlw/sawbj1DmTSUT506T_3WxLM2RYrOTwTS2wCLcBGAs/s1600/status%2Bof%2Bsanctuary%2BJune%2B22.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxTv4lG4YFA/WVGWcJLquwI/AAAAAAAAAlw/sawbj1DmTSUT506T_3WxLM2RYrOTwTS2wCLcBGAs/s200/status%2Bof%2Bsanctuary%2BJune%2B22.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-1097584164216995412017-01-27T08:16:00.000-05:002017-01-27T08:16:07.087-05:00Celebrating Tu B'Shevat in Kehillah!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D43p5od77To/WEgds3KWyII/AAAAAAAAAio/29A8peQUW2o8w7slU5J-S9sAW6M413S_gCPcB/s1600/Correct-Integrated-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D43p5od77To/WEgds3KWyII/AAAAAAAAAio/29A8peQUW2o8w7slU5J-S9sAW6M413S_gCPcB/s200/Correct-Integrated-Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>While we are in the midst of the coldest months in New York, we celebrate the “official” start to Spring in Israel with Tu B’Shevat. In my mind, this holiday really encapsulates what Judaism is all about. It is a day that we celebrate trees and nature, which are an integral part of the human environment.<br /><br />Traditionally, planting parsley has been a long-standing Tu B’Shevat preschool activity. Now what does parsley have to do with trees? Well, I imagine that pre-school teachers of years past could not plant actual trees with their students or that the symbolic act of “buying” a tree in Israel was not tangible enough. Given these factors, engaging in a planting activity was (and still is) a good way to discuss nature in a classroom setting. What is really wonderful about this activity is that if you plant the parsley on Tu B’shevat, by the time it germinates and grows, we have jumped two holidays to our major Spring holiday of Passover. A major component of the Passover Seder is Karpas, which is the spring herb/vegetable often represented on the Seder plate by parsley. The Jewish calendar works in amazing ways!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9ikgkQTBYE/WIpkbIamV4I/AAAAAAAAAj4/lY4hVQjFrWwgGR0aPeR7jbViJw_l0T_8ACLcB/s1600/tree-bouleau-1396832.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9ikgkQTBYE/WIpkbIamV4I/AAAAAAAAAj4/lY4hVQjFrWwgGR0aPeR7jbViJw_l0T_8ACLcB/s320/tree-bouleau-1396832.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />At Kehillah, we will be planting tons of parsley in a new parsley garden. The students will be able to both predict what will happen to the seeds and observe the parsley once it is planted. Basically, the children will be able to document the whole process from start to finish. <br /><br />Planting parsley on Tu B’Shevat for use on Passover reinforces in a cyclical way how holidays connect us to seasons and one to another.<br /><br />This Tu B’Shevat try planting something in your own homes that can be used later in the year.<br /><br />Chag Sameach,<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dc2UazyyHI/WIpkOlxwp2I/AAAAAAAAAj0/frN01d_oDdEKjyrSu1xw2nEV3pZFcEZDACLcB/s1600/abra-goldemberg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="43" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dc2UazyyHI/WIpkOlxwp2I/AAAAAAAAAj0/frN01d_oDdEKjyrSu1xw2nEV3pZFcEZDACLcB/s200/abra-goldemberg.gif" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Abra Goldemberg<br />Director of Early Childhood Jewish Education<br /><br />Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-9811127137147838202017-01-13T14:07:00.001-05:002017-01-13T14:07:57.824-05:00"Paint Nite" at Temple Israel of New Rochelle<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NVLVuzQhWyo" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>This is what community looks like at Temple Israel of New Rochelle!</b><br /><br />Grabbing aprons, paintbrushes and maybe some liquid courage, 35 women got in touch with their inner Picassos for Sisterhood's Paint Nite. It was a night full of creativity and laughter and too much cheese. Thanks to those who joined us! We look forward to seeing the "artistes" and all other Temple Israel of New Rochelle women at future Sisterhood events. Visit www.tinr.org/events to see those and other Temple Israel events!</span></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-91743232666321779202016-12-27T16:34:00.003-05:002016-12-28T08:46:48.278-05:00From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Shabbat to the NFTY-NAR Winter Kallah...Temple Israel is the Place to Be!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSkqt4z3Yj0/Vx-3_-BTFMI/AAAAAAAAAdc/vPnppJzCnN0QVtqkZDWh1sAu2UYUCy1qwCPcB/s1600/ZF-2106-66638-1-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSkqt4z3Yj0/Vx-3_-BTFMI/AAAAAAAAAdc/vPnppJzCnN0QVtqkZDWh1sAu2UYUCy1qwCPcB/s200/ZF-2106-66638-1-004.jpg" width="132" /></a>Dear <i>Chevrei </i>(Friends),<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Most people are creatures of habit. Some are mundane and personal, like using the same coffee mug every morning, and others feel grand and involve others, like fraternal organizations. Each of these, in their own way, create and maintain traditions. Traditions are hard to let go of – perhaps because human beings do not naturally love change, but we do love traditions. Judaism is, perhaps more than anything else, a system to store and deliver traditions. And, we’ve got all kind of traditions – from our rituals and holidays, to our favorite foods and special terminology.&nbsp; That is why Judaism is still so important to Jews – even ones who have no religious practice at all. Even we Reform Jews, who do not fear change, nor avoid it, still know that without many of our traditions, we wouldn’t be Jews at all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Temple Israel, like all communities, has its own traditions, unique to us. One of those traditions is that Temple Israel has always been the gathering place for the larger community. We are seen as not only a trusted communal institution, both to Jews and non-Jews, but we are known for being warm and welcoming to all who come through our doors. That did not happen by accident. It takes a lot of work, over many years, to build a culture such as we have here. We’ve played host to an array of community wide events over the years because no one does a warm welcome like Temple Israel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kLGfYd_DCk/WGLdixd0-rI/AAAAAAAAAi0/kOcxMqKsp6Yiq0BaGAdZrfPRefrozR6oQCEw/s1600/Martin_Luther_King%252C_Jr_.svg.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kLGfYd_DCk/WGLdixd0-rI/AAAAAAAAAi0/kOcxMqKsp6Yiq0BaGAdZrfPRefrozR6oQCEw/s200/Martin_Luther_King%252C_Jr_.svg.png" width="200" /></a>Rabbi Wohl established just such a tradition by creating and hosting the Annual Coalition for Mutual Respect Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat. If you haven’t been here in the past, you have missed out on a gathering like no other.&nbsp; This is one of the largest annual gatherings in New Rochelle and Westchester – bringing together hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds and communities, races and religions. Only Temple Israel was willing to open its doors like this more than thirty years ago. If you haven’t experienced this tradition, you should join us this year.&nbsp; I’ll add, that this will be our first year without Rabbi Wohl presiding over the service and the evening. Those are big shoes to fill. More importantly, this is an opportunity to show Rabbi Wohl, from afar, that what he created has indeed become a tradition here – that tolerance, respect, human dignity and equality are the teachings which he has bequeathed to us. Those teachings too are our traditions and we must, perhaps more than ever, continue these traditions. I hope to see you on Friday, January 13 at the Dinner at 6 pm followed by the Service at 7:30 pm. <a href="http://tinr.org/images/Holidays_pdfs_and_images/dr_martin_luther_king_jr_dinner_and_service_2016.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for details!</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another tradition here at Temple Israel is a commitment to our youth and youth programs. Temple Israel is no "Johnny Come Lately" to the idea that we must invest heavily in our youth if we hope for a bright future for our Jewish people. Going back generations, Temple Israel set itself apart from all other congregations in our area by having a robust high school program. Our formal education program boasts one of the highest post-B'nei Mitzvah retention rates in the country. Our 500 families produce a hundred high school enrollees every year. Congregations, quadruple our size, often do not see numbers like that! Adding to our amazing formal program, is our unmatched youth group. TIFTY is outstanding in the scope of its activities and the number of kids who are involved. Again, in a region that boasts some of the largest synagogue communities in the entire world, it is TIFTY that is regularly the largest, most active and best youth group anywhere around. Why are we so successful?&nbsp; Tradition! For generations, the commitment to our youth has been clear and our kids know the congregation, and Brotherhood and Sisterhood, are supporting their growth every step of the way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AliB_ncDmVk/WGLeFi7GcUI/AAAAAAAAAi8/D6dv1wZhNYgw2K9j1nzyBkmgfA34h783gCLcB/s1600/Nfty_logo_blue.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AliB_ncDmVk/WGLeFi7GcUI/AAAAAAAAAi8/D6dv1wZhNYgw2K9j1nzyBkmgfA34h783gCLcB/s200/Nfty_logo_blue.png" width="200" /></a>In recognition of our success in youth programs, and because our reputation and tradition of being the communal gathering space, NFTY-NAR, the region that TIFTY is a part of, has asked us to host its Winter Kallah over the January 20 - 22 weekend! This is an honor, not just for our teens, but for all of us. We all contribute to the culture of success of our youth programs. Now, we can once again put our special form of Temple Israel hospitality on display as we play host to almost 200 teens from all over New York. As we have for more than a century, we’re calling on you to support our youth by offering to host – literally – all of these teens! We need people to open their homes to house all of them over the course of the weekend and to get them to and from Temple Israel throughout the weekend. Please show these teens, what we here in our community already know – that we are the best hosts! Contact Rabbi Nichols at RabbiNichols@tinr.org if you are willing to host. We hope you do!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Abraham &amp; Sarah, the first Jews, according to our tradition, had a tent with no sides so that they could always see visitors, strangers and wanderers from afar. Why was this so important to them? Because they felt that hospitality was among the most important traditions they wanted to begin, and hand down all the way to us! Not much about Judaism has changed in the 4,000 years since they lived. Abraham &amp; Sarah, and Rabbi Wohl too, can all be at ease knowing that we’ve learned their lessons well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I look forward to seeing you both weekends in January.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIm9GfaEsQ/VVSGkSoDXxI/AAAAAAAAAVY/OkapqlO17rQeg6lW6K0Ww7NQTMssISQogCPcB/s1600/weiner_sig.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRIm9GfaEsQ/VVSGkSoDXxI/AAAAAAAAAVY/OkapqlO17rQeg6lW6K0Ww7NQTMssISQogCPcB/s200/weiner_sig.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Senior Rabbi Scott B. Weiner</div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-58489425389882849732016-12-07T09:38:00.005-05:002016-12-07T09:46:20.912-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D43p5od77To/WEgds3KWyII/AAAAAAAAAiY/G1dP1zPWegEZsdUphOObiLbhVgEFPyd0wCLcB/s1600/Correct-Integrated-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D43p5od77To/WEgds3KWyII/AAAAAAAAAiY/G1dP1zPWegEZsdUphOObiLbhVgEFPyd0wCLcB/s200/Correct-Integrated-Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />Chanukah in the Kehillah School</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br />It seems like when we mention Chanukah to young children their immediate reaction is “Presents.” We are inundated by a flood of advertisements and gift guides, especially during the holiday season. I always take joy in the look on a child’s face when a present is opened. Parents often say that all toddlers need is an empty gift-wrapped box and that is what their kids love opening and playing with most. With that being said, Chanukah goes beyond the “Presents”. There is more to it than that. What I enjoy most about Chanukah is watching children with their eyes wide open staring at the Chanukah candles burn in the dark of night.&nbsp; If you could just figure out a way to put that awesome flicker into wrapping paper it would be the greatest Chanukah gift of all.<br /><br /><b>What can we do as parents to shift the focus from a nightly present party to seeing the meaningful light that Chanukah has to offer?</b> This year think about incorporating <i>Chesed </i>(acts of kindness) into your nightly Chanukah ritual.&nbsp; Here are 9 ideas (one for each candle) that you and your family can do to help bring a bit more light into this world.<br /><br />1. Make dinner and dessert for a neighbor who is homebound, going through a rough time, or just someone who you think deserves a nice homemade meal.<br />2. Go through your child’s drawers and toys with them and select items to give away to those less fortunate.<br />3. Collect socks for homeless shelters (check out <a href="http://www.joyofsox.org/">www.joyofsox.org</a> or <a href="http://www.knockknockgiveasock.org/">www.knockknockgiveasock.org</a>).<br />4. Do housework, shovel snow, or garden for a neighbor.<br />5. Make crafts or jewelry for people in group homes, assisted living, or nursing homes.<br />6. Make cards to thank community helpers (perfect time to hit Pinterest for awesome ideas).<br />7. Send a care package to someone who lives far away.<br />8. Make a family Chanukah video, try to get it to go viral, and have people who view donate to a charity of choice (think ice bucket challenge).<br />9. Help animals in your community by offering to walk a neighbor’s dog or collecting items for an animal shelter.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>May the light of Chanukah bring a better world to all humankind.</b></span></span></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pqm6wJRQaw/WEgc6G_bLPI/AAAAAAAAAiI/R9LnqPjqg_AGMAQ7R0OGnagH4Rm7XWwhgCEw/s1600/Abra-Golemberg-R-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pqm6wJRQaw/WEgc6G_bLPI/AAAAAAAAAiI/R9LnqPjqg_AGMAQ7R0OGnagH4Rm7XWwhgCEw/s200/Abra-Golemberg-R-cropped.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">Abra Goldemberg<br />Director of Early Childhood<br />Jewish Education</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vjCiUVhIio/WEgdAER7DgI/AAAAAAAAAiM/z0s-F0gfdig2IvvJuIQ-CS3LIXlPJXXEACEw/s1600/Roslyn-Conroy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vjCiUVhIio/WEgdAER7DgI/AAAAAAAAAiM/z0s-F0gfdig2IvvJuIQ-CS3LIXlPJXXEACEw/s200/Roslyn-Conroy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">Roslyn Conroy<br />Director of the Kehillah School<br />for Early Learning</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-29039254724505354472016-11-30T13:07:00.001-05:002016-11-30T13:09:50.634-05:00Something Old, Something New ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djqk5zadA1c/WD8UzdxdDYI/AAAAAAAAAhk/y5Kn21qkNfocATDiaA_T5B77hSBXBYRuQCLcB/s1600/Cantor_Randall_Schloss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djqk5zadA1c/WD8UzdxdDYI/AAAAAAAAAhk/y5Kn21qkNfocATDiaA_T5B77hSBXBYRuQCLcB/s200/Cantor_Randall_Schloss.jpg" width="143" /></a>When my daughter Sonya was five years old, we had a very special bedtime tradition. Every night, in her lovely, little girl voice, she would sing the Sh’ma with the “traditional” melody composed by Solomon Sulzer in mid-nineteenth century Vienna. At first, she would sing it as she learned it, with her best possible Hebrew. But then she would sing it a second time, this time doing it her own way. Sometimes she would change the words or tune. Often she would echo each word as she sang (“sh’ma-ma-ma-ma Yisrael-el-el-el…). In short, she had a great time while singing the Sh’ma. That a five-year-old could have a great time performing a millennia old Jewish ritual every night is no small statement. It says a great deal about her, our family, Reform Judaism and the future of our Jewish rituals. And it exemplifies my ideals as a cantor and as a Jewish leader. I embrace tradition, but I also use it as a catalyst for new modes of worship, new ritual and new music. In order to create a vibrant, relevant Jewish experience for all, we need to embrace both our history and our unique, modern sensibilities.<br /><br />Here at Temple Israel, we are lucky to have such diverse offerings of worship styles. In the month of December alone, we will share the following Shabbat services: Community Shabbat, Chanukah themed Family Shabbat, a more classical Friday night with Torah Service, and one Friday night simply welcoming Shabbat. If any of these appeal to you in particular (e.g. Torah Service, Organ and Choir, Kol Simcha, etc.), I would encourage you also to try a service that isn’t your typical fare. You may be surprised by the traditional elements found in our Family and Community Shabbatot, or how the Organ and choir can help inspire new experiences of prayer. Check the worship calendar!<br /><br />Judaism has wonderful traditions. And as I am still quite new to our community, I am thoroughly enjoying learning the special Temple Israel twists on those traditions. In the months and years ahead I look forward to embracing and to building upon the beautiful traditions of our people and our community.<br /><br />L’shalom,</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FlztA1SQsNU/WD8UidWnO6I/AAAAAAAAAhg/Ce7LPXH4rEwwUnhfhWuYjgzRxeEaueBhQCEw/s1600/randall-schloss.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FlztA1SQsNU/WD8UidWnO6I/AAAAAAAAAhg/Ce7LPXH4rEwwUnhfhWuYjgzRxeEaueBhQCEw/s200/randall-schloss.gif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /><br />&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br />Cantor Randall Schloss</span>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-6061200308978477022016-11-17T08:39:00.000-05:002016-11-17T08:48:09.906-05:00Our Sacred Ideals<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">Dear<i><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;"> chevrei</span></i> (friends),</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">I awoke this morning after a late night and woke up our girls to explain to them the results of the election last night.&nbsp; They were upset, but mostly, they were shocked.&nbsp; I feel shocked too.&nbsp; Not at the results per se, but at the difference in the values that I voted for and the clear values statement many voters made yesterday: "I'm angry at the government and its dysfunction; I'm voting for the anti-government candidate."&nbsp; Sadly, I also truly believe that there are those who voted against a woman president, against the progressive gains made by women, people of color and people on the sexuality spectrum over the last eight years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">Yesterday, I voted, proudly, with Limor and our girls based on our Jewish values - for inclusiveness, fairness, equality and tolerance.&nbsp; These are values steeped in the Torah and in our experiences.&nbsp; It is those very experiences that made the rhetoric of this campaign particularly painful to the Jewish community as a whole: race-baiting, anti-Semitism and nationalism have all been used against our people throughout our history.&nbsp; We have a keen sensitivity to such words.&nbsp; Today is the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, where in 1938, the Nazi's officially began their persecutions of the Jews in Germany.&nbsp; There needn't be a link between that day and the election of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States.&nbsp; This date, however, is a reminder that words and votes can lead to terrible outcomes.&nbsp; If...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">- If we turn our backs on our responsibility to be engaged citizens, vigilant in making sure that the dangerous words of the campaign do not become dangerous acts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">- If we turn our backs on our religious traditions of treating everyone with the notion that each of us is created in the image of the Divine and therefore should be treated with holiness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">- If we turn our backs on the concept of <i><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">Tikkun Olam</span></i>, that we are obligated to work to make our world a better place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">- If we turn our backs on those Americans who feel such despair at their lot in life that a protest vote feels like a last option.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">- If we forget, for even one moment, our obligation to teach our children right from wrong, that ends justify the means and that divisiveness is a winning strategy in the long.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">Zachor</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">, "remember," the Torah implores us time and time again; remember injustices brought upon us and work to make our world a place of justice.&nbsp; "Justice, justice, shall you pursue!"&nbsp; Justice, we are taught, is not recrimination and revenge, but a balancing of the scales.&nbsp; America is out of balance and we need to do our part to restore the balance.&nbsp; That's what we Jews have done with the gift of American liberties - we've improved out lot in life and used that improved standing to make the lives of others, our country and the world better.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">I pray, with all sincerity for the success of Donald Trump's presidency; not on policy grounds, but with the hope that his election spurs in our nation a desire to heal wounds, to right wrongs and to meet the needs of the citizenry.&nbsp; We all bear a role in such a presidency, no matter whom we voted for.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">My colleagues, Rabbi Nichols and Cantor Schloss, and I, are here for you.&nbsp; Call, write, stop by.&nbsp; In times of doubt, we need to be together as a <i><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">beit knesset</span></i> (synagogue), literally "the house of gathering" is just such a place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">Friday night, we will have our annual Shabbat service in commemoration of Kristallnacht and Veterans Day.&nbsp; The two might seem incongruous, but they are not.&nbsp; We retell the stories of our pain and suffering to remind ourselves of how bleak the world can be, but we also gather to show that we are not powerless and that in our moments of great distress, our nation is capable of unifying under the sacred ideals upon which this country was founded.&nbsp; Join us, pray with us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">On Rosh Hashanah, my sermon ended with our community singing God Bless America.&nbsp; We need God's blessings, as we always have.&nbsp; And God needs us to do our part, to make whole what is broken.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif;">Indeed, God, please bless America, and all Americans,<br /><img alt="Weiner Signature" border="0" height="49" hspace="5" id="_x0000_i1025" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.162" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/e3071837001/14b9a25e-d715-49d5-b427-9595f0a4cf4a.jpg" vspace="5" width="200" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scott Weiner</span><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-57950051660661470582016-11-01T10:39:00.002-04:002016-11-01T10:39:27.079-04:00It's a New Year ... It's Never Too Early to Start Thinking About Camp!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iE8bBH1xKng/WBilePtIY8I/AAAAAAAAAe4/Z-o8ZEVbfisDSk6oQUe8kiWls9khR-7MwCLcB/s1600/Beth_Nichols_TT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iE8bBH1xKng/WBilePtIY8I/AAAAAAAAAe4/Z-o8ZEVbfisDSk6oQUe8kiWls9khR-7MwCLcB/s1600/Beth_Nichols_TT.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Summer Camp!&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The High Holidays may have just ended, but it is time to start thinking about the summer in this new year of 5777! </b>Many families in our community send, or plan to send, their children to overnight camp. Entrusting the care of your children to a summer camp is a big decision, and there are dozens of outstanding camps to choose from. <br /><br />As you consider what camp is the best fit for your child, we encourage you to consider <b>Jewish summer camps</b>. Over the years you may have heard me speak about the transformative experiences I have witnessed while serving as a faculty member at the Union for Reform Judaism’s Eisner Camp. But you do not have to take my word on the power of Jewish camping. The Foundation for Jewish Camp compiled data from over 25 Jewish population studies and found overwhelming evidence indicating that attending Jewish summer camp strengthens Jewish identity and builds Jewish community (<a href="http://jewishcamp.org/research">jewishcamp.org/research</a>). <br /><br />The wider Jewish community and Temple Israel believe so strongly in Jewish overnight camp experiences that we have grants available to help you try it out. The Foundation for Jewish Camp’s “One Happy Camper” program provides $1000 for each child attending an eligible Jewish camp for the first time. In addition, Temple Israel’s Hirshenhorn Fund gives additional funds to children attending an eligible Jewish overnight camp for the first time (or traveling to Israel with an organized teen program). Please contact me for more information on these sources of funding at <a href="mailto:RabbiNichols@tinr.org">RabbiNichols@tinr.org</a>.<br /><br />How do you choose a camp for this summer or a summer in the future? Your Temple Israel community is the best place to start. Talk with your friends, parents in your children’s grades and our staff. The clergy and professional staff can share their own experiences attending and working at camp, as well as connect you with families in the congregation who have attended over a dozen different Jewish camps. For a full picture of all there is to choose from, the <b>Foundation for Jewish Camp</b> has profiles of over 150 Jewish camps on their website (<a href="http://jewishcamp.org/">jewishcamp.org</a>) with an easy to use way to sort by geography, activities, Jewish affiliation and other features.<br /><br />The summer is a unique time for kids to immerse themselves in a Jewish community away from the pressures of the school year. In addition to traditional overnight camps there are local and national programs focusing on travel, volunteering, history and more. We look forward to holding many conversations with you about the wide variety of Jewish summer opportunities open to your children and teens. <b>Start 5777 thinking about CAMP!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Check all the pictures below from last year ... don't miss the fun this year! <br />Let us know some of&nbsp; your memories, leave a comment below for Rabbi Nichols to read!</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3xrbm1CvmWc/WBimtSQcy4I/AAAAAAAAAfA/mYEEowhpz5gNfSysXnfBMMKg6oaF8RA7gCLcB/s1600/20160803_141511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3xrbm1CvmWc/WBimtSQcy4I/AAAAAAAAAfA/mYEEowhpz5gNfSysXnfBMMKg6oaF8RA7gCLcB/s400/20160803_141511.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpcmB5ljeKY/WBinKmDJGuI/AAAAAAAAAfE/UPVSW9Ti9Jkmo-xdlIN0hqSW_3o32pA4gCLcB/s1600/Bonim%2BRunning%2Bfor%2BBuddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkr6s3ySUOU/WBinVZVoNUI/AAAAAAAAAgA/MkDLPpfUqi4FjzaD-qD8dal1v3cDIYeLwCLcB/s1600/RBN%2Band%2BSpike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkr6s3ySUOU/WBinVZVoNUI/AAAAAAAAAgA/MkDLPpfUqi4FjzaD-qD8dal1v3cDIYeLwCLcB/s320/RBN%2Band%2BSpike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-14873716756742687542016-06-22T10:03:00.003-04:002016-06-22T10:03:41.226-04:00Welcome Cantor Schloss and family to Temple Israel of New Rochelle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bac_juEtS98/V2qZkiWfAAI/AAAAAAAAAeI/G02dJFiYizsA_tZDHJfx16p0UUkAK8ZDwCLcB/s1600/cantor%2Bschloss%2Bfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bac_juEtS98/V2qZkiWfAAI/AAAAAAAAAeI/G02dJFiYizsA_tZDHJfx16p0UUkAK8ZDwCLcB/s320/cantor%2Bschloss%2Bfamily.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;The Schloss Family: (l to r) Sonya, Leah, Cantor Schloss, Maya</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome Cantor Schloss and family!</b></span><br /><br />Mark Zborowsky was a valuable NKVD agent and mole who infiltrated the Trotskyist organization in Paris on behalf of the Soviet Union in the 1930’s. He was also an anthropologist and happens to be the great-uncle of my wife, Leah. In 1952 he co-authored the seminal book on the culture of the Shtetl, Life is with People. Apparently, Fiddler on the Roof bases its conception of life in the shtetl on Mark Zborowsky’s work. <br /><br />I am no expert on Shtetl life and Yiddish culture. Unfortunately I never got to meet Leah’s great-uncle who undoubtedly was a fascinating man. But I completely agree with his concept, whether in the Shtetl, in Israel, or here in the United States: life is indeed with people. A shtetl was not the physical village where Jews lived in Eastern Europe, a shtetl was the community that lived there. While we may be proud of our synagogues’ beautiful architecture and enviable facilities, it is the community that makes a synagogue. <br /><br />I came to be a cantor through community. I grew up in a somewhat typical, not particularly observant Jewish home. I went to Hebrew School (occasionally), became bar mitzvah, went to synagogue on the High Holidays, had a lovely Passover seder and lit lots of Chanukah candles. And, I have made music throughout my entire life. In high school, my academic work suffered more than a little due to my participation in music: I sang in two choirs, an acappella&nbsp; group and in musical theater; I played guitar and drums in a blues band, a rock/funk band and the school jazz band; I played cello in the orchestra and a string quartet; and I was program director of our radio station. Ever since I was a little kid people have often told me (beginning with my grandparents), “You should be a cantor!” My first impression of a cantor was the dramatic singer who almost always seemed to be crying to God. I wasn’t sure if that was for me. Only after speaking with my own Rabbi and Cantor as a young adult did I come to understand that to be a cantor, to be clergy, is really a community service position. Clearly music is central to what I do as a cantor: I lead joyful and spiritual services through affective music, I give concerts, I compose, I teach music to children and adults and I conduct choirs. But music is my medium, not the message. The message is community—sacred Jewish community.<br /><br />Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, “To attain a degree of spiritual security one cannot rely upon one’s own resources. One needs an atmosphere, where the concern for the spirit is shared by a community…It is the task of the Cantor to create the liturgical community, to convert a plurality of praying individuals into a unity of worship.” I couldn’t agree more! But Heschel wrote those words about fifty years ago, when the role of the cantor was almost exclusively as a leader of worship. A cantor now must work to create moving worship, but also help to build this shared community spirit through every aspect of synagogue life. I love that my role of cantor requires this breadth of experience and connection. For example, at my former congregation, I led a Shabbat celebration with several of our preschool classrooms every Friday morning. On its own, this seems like a simple (and fun!) task: sing Shabbat songs with adorable children. But this is just the beginning. Parents visit and share the joy that their children express while celebrating Shabbat. They see the connection between what we do in the classroom and what we do in the synagogue during Shabbat services. And many of them bring the songs and rituals home for their family observance of Shabbat. I have joyfully discussed issues of Jewish ritual and practice, Shabbat observance, musical participation and much more with dozens of families with young children. Last year, a divorced father of a 4-year-old (both non-Jews) became so moved by his son’s participation in the Jewish life of our school and synagogue that the two of them are now working with me toward conversion to Judaism. While I have forged a deep personal connection with this family, it is the combined efforts of our educators, clergy, staff and community members that truly made them feel so welcome and connected.<br /><br />I am so thrilled to be sharing my love of Judaism and music with the Temple Israel community beginning this summer. I can’t wait to make music together, to learn together, to pray together and to share life together. The people I have already met, Rabbis Weiner and Nichols, many staff members and leaders of your community have already made Leah, our daughters, Maya and Sonya, and me feel so welcome. I look forward to your community becoming our community and to joining Temple Israel as its cantor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UIlm3hKVoqE/V2qZ1t4vhZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/lVI59FnpeOEdjhYsaAYcBuaSIUdlWmiHgCLcB/s1600/randall-schloss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UIlm3hKVoqE/V2qZ1t4vhZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/lVI59FnpeOEdjhYsaAYcBuaSIUdlWmiHgCLcB/s200/randall-schloss.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br />Cantor Randall Schloss</div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-39970273937039189412016-05-25T09:35:00.001-04:002016-05-25T09:56:40.619-04:00Lloyd Robinson - Temple Israel of New Rochelle's President<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eh3b8rUxzxE/V0WqBjcSDYI/AAAAAAAAAdw/BaxxsAzvXZAx1EsOQ4QwmK9RbuzjXuwLwCLcB/s1600/Lloyd-headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eh3b8rUxzxE/V0WqBjcSDYI/AAAAAAAAAdw/BaxxsAzvXZAx1EsOQ4QwmK9RbuzjXuwLwCLcB/s200/Lloyd-headshot.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Dear <i>Chevrei</i> (Friends),<br /><br /><div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;">Alas, I am writing my last Temple Topics article as your President. The past three years have been nothing short of amazing and I have cherished my time serving all of you. Together we have accomplished so much and we all should be proud of the work we have done. I say “we” because nothing that has happened at TINR these past three years could have happened without all of your support and dedication. I really want to thank all of you that volunteered your time, gave your financial support and guided me during my tenure. While I may not miss all the meetings, phone calls and emails, I will certainly miss my interactions with all of you.<br /><br /></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;">Over the past few months I have thanked many of you and if I thanked everyone in this column I’d have to take up the whole issue with just saying “thank you.” All I want to say is that our congregants, clergy and staff are all amazing and I could not be more proud of all of you. Our congregants’ dedication to Temple Israel is so heartwarming. Our Rabbis have done a remarkable job, especially with not having a Cantor this past year.&nbsp; Cantor Schloss will be a great addition to the Clergy team and I really look forward to having him join us in July. I have praised our staff numerous times throughout these past three years but no amount of praise is enough to thank them for all they have done to make all of us proud.&nbsp; <br /><br /></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;">I will single out the officers plus two groups that really helped shape and move my agenda forward these past three years.&nbsp; Liz Weingast, Mindy Stark, Stacy Spiegel, Mark Kleinman, Richard Stoerger, David Itzkowitz, Paul Warhit and Marji Karlin - I cannot thank all of you enough for your unwavering support. Through many meals and some wine and bourbon, we were able to create a vision for TINR’s future that Liz will certainly continue. From the Kehillah expansion, to “TINR 2100” and so many other projects and initiatives - your support made it all happen.<br /><br /></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;">So as this chapter of my 40 plus years at Temple Israel closes I am so looking forward to being just a “regular congregant” and seeing all of you in the pews and at all the great events that TINR offers.<br /></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><br />In closing I really want to thank my family for enduring all the meetings and phone calls that took time away from you.&nbsp; Thank you for allowing me to lead TINR these past three years. I know sometimes it was hard but I also know that I had your love and support. Be careful what you wish for because Barb, Ash, Ari and Ben, I am not sure you are ready to have me around.<br /><br /></div>Once again thank you all so much, and I hope I made all of you proud.<br /><br />Lloyd Robinson<br />President, Temple IsraelTemple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-81462833173359128902016-04-26T14:49:00.003-04:002016-04-26T14:51:06.775-04:00There's a New Cantor in Town!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSkqt4z3Yj0/Vx-3_-BTFMI/AAAAAAAAAdY/zvuQLYEl5voEE5C5bF3BBakFM_yv121NACLcB/s1600/ZF-2106-66638-1-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSkqt4z3Yj0/Vx-3_-BTFMI/AAAAAAAAAdY/zvuQLYEl5voEE5C5bF3BBakFM_yv121NACLcB/s200/ZF-2106-66638-1-004.jpg" width="132" /></a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Welcome Cantor Randall Schloss!</b><br /><br />Dear <i>Chevrei </i>(Friends),<br /><br />Nearly a year ago, Temple Israel set off on a search for its next cantor. While the process might be best served by having an American Idol style contest – which would leave us with a great singer – the search for a cantor here needs to have far more depth because we expect our cantor to have much more than a great voice. An American Idol style process would have overlooked the many things that our leadership, guided by our Worship Taskforce’s blueprint for the future of worship and community life, was seeking in a new cantor. We were on the hunt for a well-rounded, professional clergyperson who could bring us into that future by bringing a bevy of skills, talents and personality traits to meet our unique needs. We have found such a person in Cantor Randall Schloss, coming to us from Brookline, Massachusetts.&nbsp; <br /><br />Cantor Schloss brings us nine years of pulpit experience, a lifetime of musical abilities (he plays many instruments including cello, guitar, drum, piano), an outstanding vocal range (from folk music to opera – he used to be a professional opera singer), and a full gamut of pastoral skills. He composes music, conducts choirs, is relatable and academic (he holds four degrees!), and is an all-around genuinely good person. He fits all the criteria we set out to find all those months ago; our Cantorial Search Committee deserves many kudos for their work.<br /><br />Every synagogue would want to have a cantor with all of these skills, though not everyone can find such a person. Beyond all of these skills, however, comes the mission of the job as it is here at Temple Israel. Years ago, our Worship Task Force laid out several key elements necessary to transform our worship to meet both our current needs and meet the needs of our ever-evolving future here. These include some tall orders – fully integrating our new prayerbook (which we have been using, but not to its fullest abilities), shifting our music to include more instrumentation and contemporary musical settings, using the Reform Movement’s new High Holiday prayerbook, creating a seamless congregational repertoire spanning the ages of our congregation – from our infants to our oldest seniors - and, perhaps most important, using Jewish music to elevate our collective voices – be that in the sanctuary, in youth group or on the march towards a socially just world.<br /><br />Rabbi Nichols and I have worked over the last few years to make much of this a reality with help from the Worship Committee, the Board and many lay leaders. But, as valiant as our attempts have been, we have been missing something – in the words of that great sage, Reggie Jackson, we’ve been without “the straw to stir the drink!”&nbsp; Throughout the many months of searching for a cantor, one candidate felt, to us, like that catalyst Temple Israel needs to make it all come together. We both feel that Cantor Schloss’ combination of skills and experiences will get us where we want to go; where we need to be in the future.<br /><br />While there is never any guarantee that a new clergy person will be a perfect fit, we have some measure of security in Cantor Schloss. Not only have I seen him create dynamic worship, lead great singing and craft engaging communities, I have done it with him. Cantor Schloss and I have shared the pulpit before – both at Central Synagogue and at my former congregation, the Hebrew Tabernacle, both in Manhattan. I have seen firsthand, and experienced firsthand, the power of Cantor Schloss’ abilities. Even more, I know that wherever he has been in his career he has made a mark that is long remembered for its excellence, caring and attention to detail.&nbsp; This is a collegial partnership that I am happy to renew on our bimah here in New Rochelle.<br />&nbsp; <br />I know that you are as excited as Rabbi Nichols and I are to have Cantor Schloss lead us for years to come. July 1st is just around the corner, and so is a bright future.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Welcome, Cantor Schloss!</b><br /><br />Senior Rabbi Scott B. Weiner <b><br /></b></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-52700573552932708822016-03-21T14:37:00.003-04:002016-03-30T17:51:19.800-04:00Kehillah's Passover Story ... Preparing for the Tot Seder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aD9kqvHDZ_Y/VvA-7oDMM_I/AAAAAAAAAdA/CzohAsimrI4NGMyQUQq9LMVo76JxHQQXw/s1600/Nancy_Bossov_Press.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aD9kqvHDZ_Y/VvA-7oDMM_I/AAAAAAAAAdA/CzohAsimrI4NGMyQUQq9LMVo76JxHQQXw/s200/Nancy_Bossov_Press.gif" width="156" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some of us involved in Jewish education, joke about a common theme throughout all the Jewish holidays: “They tried to get us - they didn’t - let’s eat.” Some families who conduct a 20 minute Passover Seder, or wish they conducted a 20 minute Seder, may relate to that, but we all know there is much more to Passover and the meaning behind retelling the story each and every year!<br /><br />For the youngest members of our community, the Passover story is a complex tale of adventure with long-reaching lessons. There are numerous concepts involved in the Passover story and each year we choose a few for each of our age groups to explore according to the children’s interests and abilities.<br /><br />In preparation for our <b>2nd Annual Tot Seder on Saturday, April 16 at 11:00 am, </b>we will focus on the characters of the story and try to imagine the thoughts and feelings they had during the unfolding of the years of slavery, the adjustment to freedom, and the process of journeying toward the Land of Israel and our People’s bright future. At our Tot Seder, we will be dressed as Israelites and welcome guest participants like King Pharoah, Moses &amp; Miriam &amp; Aaron, and of course, the main character…God! If you have little ones who might enjoy this participatory preparation for Passover, please join us on April 16. Call Nancy Bossov in the Kehillah School for more information (637-3808) or to reserve a spot in the tent!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><br />Nancy Bossov<br />Director of Early Childhood Programs <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-91818096965453055932016-02-17T07:39:00.005-05:002016-03-15T09:37:50.693-04:00Temple Israel Youth Travel to Puerto Rico!<b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Straight From Puerto Rico!</span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtF-C-x3kOg/VsoxI6gQf1I/AAAAAAAAAck/HBwCbwkLEQs/s1600/Puerto%2BRico%2BTrip%2B2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtF-C-x3kOg/VsoxI6gQf1I/AAAAAAAAAck/HBwCbwkLEQs/s200/Puerto%2BRico%2BTrip%2B2016.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSESEFH1T6Q/VsoxABBq4jI/AAAAAAAAAcg/_Oj6bW2x-CI/s1600/20160217_091604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSESEFH1T6Q/VsoxABBq4jI/AAAAAAAAAcg/_Oj6bW2x-CI/s200/20160217_091604.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Did you know that Rabbi Beth Nichols is with our Temple Israel youth in Puerto Rico learning about the culture and making a difference with a service project! Check out their own blog link and pictures below. It's amazing what young adults can do ...<br />______________________<br /><br />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Greetings!</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We have a new blog post and photos! Please visit our&nbsp;trip&nbsp;journal/blog link below (we will send you an e-mail with each new&nbsp;update).<a href="https://www.globalworkstravel.com/blog/temple-sinai-and-temple-israel-puerto-rico-trip-journal-2016/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: darkorange;"><br />TRIP UPDATE</span></b></a></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br />And, be sure to LIKE us on Facebook because we will load ALL the photos (in higher resolution) onto our page and then you can download them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GlobalWorks" target="_blank">GLOBAL WORKS FACEBOOK PAGE</a></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We are also posting photos on Instagram, follow us @globalworkstravel or tag photos with #globalworkstravel</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /><br />Cheers!<br />The Global Works Home Office Team (hosts of Temple Israel Youth travelers)</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /><br />FULL LINK TO BLOG:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globalworkstravel.com/blog/temple-sinai-and-temple-israel-puerto-rico-trip-journal-2016/" target="_blank">https://www.globalworkstravel.com/blog/temple-sinai-and-temple-israel-puerto-rico-trip-journal-2016/</a></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkfyGFu4YgQ/VsRpcinyASI/AAAAAAAAAcI/gVN6dq4PZaI/s1600/IMG_9022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkfyGFu4YgQ/VsRpcinyASI/AAAAAAAAAcI/gVN6dq4PZaI/s1600/IMG_9022.jpg" /></a></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-40385351669679367402016-02-01T14:56:00.000-05:002016-03-15T09:37:16.109-04:00Let's Prepare for Purim 2016!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_CM526nxjw/Vq-vFKtpjPI/AAAAAAAAAbs/qHd39mapqDA/s1600/Purim-2016.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_CM526nxjw/Vq-vFKtpjPI/AAAAAAAAAbs/qHd39mapqDA/s200/Purim-2016.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you know what the FOUR Purim Mitzvot you can do to celebrate Purim?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Read on, while Rebecca Elkus-Ferst, <i>Chavaya </i>Director, shares with you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gi5EwwHbJa4/Vq-vSdhxkUI/AAAAAAAAAb0/mVMWIl0Uuqo/s1600/REF_headshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gi5EwwHbJa4/Vq-vSdhxkUI/AAAAAAAAAb0/mVMWIl0Uuqo/s200/REF_headshot.JPG" width="145" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Purim is headed our way in the month of March, and it’s a special holiday with obligations (yes, obligations) that are really fun to take part in. We can’t wait to celebrate this incredibly enjoyable holiday with you and your families, and with the rest of the community. See the cover for the schedule of Purim events. <b>Did you know that there are FOUR Purim Mitzvot that you can do to celebrate the holiday? &nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>READING THE MEGILLAH </b>is one of the four mitzvot (commandments) of Purim. We hope you’ll join us at Temple Israel for our Purim Schpiel and Megillah reading on Wednesday evening, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A <b>SEUDAT MITZVAH</b>, a festive meal or party, is another of the four mitzvot of Purim. We hope you’ll have a chance to celebrate with friends and family! Many people eat <i>hamantaschen (oznei haman)</i> on Purim as well.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>MISHLOACH MANOT </b>is the mitzvah of sending food gifts to at least one other family. The only rule is that it should consist of at least two different kinds of food. It’s a great way to connect with other members of the community! You’ll notice the handy flyer in this month’s Temple Topics which tells you all about this year’s<i> Mishloach Manot</i> fundraiser for <i>Chavaya </i>or you can click here!. If you have not purchased <i>Mishloach Manot</i> in past years we hope you will take the opportunity to do so this year. Each bag purchased helps support <i>Chavaya </i>programming. Please purchase your bags and bring Purim joy to your friends and family while supporting our program. Want to do that now? Click here! And, help support Temple Israel and <i>Chavaya!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">MATANOT L’EVYONIM, or gifts to the poor, is another Purim obligation. In the Purim story in the Book of Esther, we learn that people sent two kinds of gifts as part of their celebration – to their friends (Mishloach Manot) and to the poor (Matanot l’Evyonim). It’s a beautiful part of Judaism that we celebrate our victories and successes by giving Tzedakah to those in need (the religious obligation to do what is right and just). There are many values we can learn from the Purim story as well, and among them are that we can surmount evil and that everyone – both girls and boys – can act in a heroic way. The heroes of the Purim story are women who don’t give up on what is right and men who stand up for what they believe in – and we can all learn a lot from that! We also learn that while Judaism in the home is important, our community is a crucial part of who we are. We are obligated to be good friends (giving gifts) and to take care of the poor (monetary gifts), and even to have a party and invite other people (seudat mitzvah). So as we get ready to celebrate Purim, let’s focus on the values we can learn together as one community!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rebecca Elkus-Ferst</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Chavaya </i>Director</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-75154883810814058862015-11-30T12:58:00.003-05:002016-03-15T09:37:27.504-04:00Chavaya Family Mitzvah Day ... Sunday, December 20<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytJCZl4Vs3A/VlyElEl26JI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/ebDpgpPCkM4/s1600/mitzvah-day-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytJCZl4Vs3A/VlyElEl26JI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/ebDpgpPCkM4/s400/mitzvah-day-logo.jpg" width="372" /></a></div></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The months of November and December are certainly filled with opportunities for us to give of ourselves. As we finished celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, we reflected on the things and people we appreciate. Perhaps we even had the opportunity for someone else to let us know that something we did meant a great deal to them.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This month the temple will be buzzing with opportunities for people to give back and do good. Our annual <b>“Giving Tree”</b> made its debut in the lobby in November so if you have not yet had the chance to “adopt” a child and purchase a gift or if you wish to make a donation to HOPE Community Services and sponsor food, please visit the “Giving Tree” today! Gifts are being collected until Sunday, December 13.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Families of all ages have the chance to give this month at our first <b><i>Chavaya </i>Mitzvah Day </b>on Sunday, December 20, held in <b>partnership with the Social Action Committee.</b> Mitzvah Day will run from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. with various activities. <br /><br /><b>HOPE Community Services </b>- the New Rochelle non-profit that provides cooked meals and non perishable foods to families in need. We will be creating decorations for their upcoming Christmas meals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Community Service Associates - </b>provides services that nourish not only the physical but also the social and psychological needs of the poor and disenfranchised in the Mount Vernon area. We will be creating food baskets for the soup kitchen.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>My Sister’s Place - </b>strives to engage each member of society in our work to end domestic violence, so that all relationships can embrace the principles of respect, equality, and peacefulness. Temple Israel will be creating baby toiletry packages.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Sharing Shelf - </b>provides new and gently used clothing to children living below the poverty line in Westchester County. We will be collecting new hats, scarves &nbsp;and gloves for children.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>The Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle - </b>dedicated to promoting the human/animal bond through the compassionate care and treatment of animals throughout the communities we serve in Westchester County and beyond. Temple Israel will be creating pet friendly chew toys&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Additionally, we will be collecting new diapers, baby wipes, baby shampoo, new hats, scarves and gloves to send to the organizations listed above. If you are able to help with these collections please bring these items to the collection boxes located near the <i>Chavaya </i>and Kehillah offices or in the Temple lobby.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Chavaya </i>Mitzvah Day </b>will conclude with a <b>pizza lunch co-sponsored by the Brotherhood and Sisterhood. </b>We are very excited for Chavaya Mitzvah Day and thank the Brotherhood, Sisterhood and Social Action Committee for helping make this a successful event! We look forward to seeing you then, giving back to our community. <br /><br /><a href="http://tinr.org/images/pdfs/mitvah_day_2015_FLYER.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Click here</b></a> for the flyer ... and email <a href="mailto:relkusferst@TINR.ORG" target="_blank">Rebecca Elkus Ferst</a>&nbsp;(<i>Chavaya </i>Director) or <a href="mailto:miaegelberg@gmail.com" target="_blank">Mia Egelberg</a> or <a href="mailto:amybrose@gmail.com" target="_blank">Amy Ecker</a>&nbsp;(Social Action Committee Members) to volunteer your time! We need your donations and time to make this event successful!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />Rebecca Elkus-Ferst<br /><i>Chavaya </i>Director<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgUAJNMZ6b8/Vlx_CKaBN_I/AAAAAAAAAaw/y8_udhiMWvk/s1600/Social-Action-Giving-Tree-2013.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgUAJNMZ6b8/Vlx_CKaBN_I/AAAAAAAAAaw/y8_udhiMWvk/s200/Social-Action-Giving-Tree-2013.gif" width="200" /></a>When purchasing for the "Giving Tree" or any other holiday shopping this season, please consider Temple Israel through Amazon. <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/ch/13-1740410" target="_blank"><b>Click here</b></a> to be directed to <b>Temple Israel's dedicated Amazon link.</b><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913573464828718876.post-5689536343590223262015-10-22T12:38:00.000-04:002015-10-22T12:38:00.332-04:00Rabbi Weiner in Jerusalem-World Zionist Congress Day 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjRT0Qe6mng/VikONAKX49I/AAAAAAAAAZc/5lcDSmHZf48/s1600/11149716_10205430727313888_6428053587632181237_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjRT0Qe6mng/VikONAKX49I/AAAAAAAAAZc/5lcDSmHZf48/s320/11149716_10205430727313888_6428053587632181237_o.jpg" width="320" /><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Va’yahee erev, va’yahee voker, yom shleeshee! And there was evening, and there was morning, the third day! (Gen. 1:13)</i><br /><br />Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to us, as I wrote. In my post, I said there were a few points where we outright disagreed – truly, I thought that if I brought his Holocaust comments into the post, some would think that I was trying to smear the PM and that others would think that I either misheard, miswrote or both. Surely, by now, you have heard that one of the PM’s 10 “truths” was that Hitler didn’t want to murder Jews, just expel them. That is, until he met the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. Without getting into the whole <i>parashah </i>(yes, that’s modern Hebrew for a scandal), let’s just say that was not historically accurate.<br /><br />While I thought this week was filled to brim already with the <i>Artzeinu </i>pre-conference, the WZO conference and terrorism afoot, now we have a full-blown (inter)national scandal while I am in town. It seems Israel has pulled all the stops out for me. I say it is a big scandal because it isn’t every day that the German government has to come to the aid of the despicable Mufti’s reputation (he instigated pogroms here in Palestine) by making it very clear that only Hitler and the Germans were to blame for the Holocaust. Everywhere I went today, people were talking about it: soldiers in the elevator, the doorman of the hotel, friends at dinner and pretty much everyone else I saw today. I even got texts from Israeli friends saying how “lucky” I was there to see it in person!<br /><br />The comment was also a topic of discussion for MK Isaac “Bougie” Herzog, the leader of the Knesset opposition, who addressed the WZO this morning as the first official business of the day. While he had prepared comments about Zionism, returning to Israel’s founders’ ideals and living up to Jewish values, he couldn’t begin without addressing the issue. Bougie, as everyone here calls him (a nickname his mom gave as a mash-up of “doll” from French and Hebrew), said that the PM’s comments were the worst kind of incitement – by putting the Mufti on the same level as Hitler, it put Palestinians on the same level as Germans during the Holocaust, knowing full well that every Israeli is raised with the ethos that Israelis will do anything to prevent such a thing from happening again. His criticism of the PM had serious zing in it, for sure. While not directly attacking the PM on the political grounds, he did highlight a vision for future that would, as he put it, reground Israel in its values. One Orthodox man jumped up and yelled at the Labor MK, akin to Rep. Joe Wilson yelling at President Obama at the State of the Union. It was the only public disrespect, to that point, in two days of meetings of people with sharp disagreements, both between the PM and Bougie and the delegates themselves.<br /><br />Next, we went into our first session where committees of the convention went through the first round of vetting, passing, amending and rejecting various resolutions. Every one of the more than 500 delegates was assigned to one of eight committees; I was assigned to the committee on constitutional amendments. This is where the nitty gritty work of WZO policy gets done. It isn’t exciting, sort of like watching Congress on C-SPAN, but it is where the real stuff happens. In my committee, most of the amendments had to do with making the WZO fairer in how delegates are elected or appointed and governance policies. It wasn’t exhilarating work, but it was important as these amendments would affect the fairness of the WZO, whether or not the smaller parties and Jewish communities get a voice and whether the oversight of the WZO would keep the organization on the straight and narrow.<br /><br />While one would think that all parties would be interested in such things, this is not the case. Most of the defeated amendments were blatant attempts by small groups to get more leverage in the WZO than they deserved, gave financial decision making powers to cronies and took the rights of small communities away by larger groups that try to suppress their voices. Almost every one of those amendments (except one about an appeals process, that is so filled with minutiae, that I will not even explain) was defeated by our coalition, working with others from varying delegations that also opposed them. There were two galling proposals that were defeated that are worth mentioning. Both were proposed by the Orthodox parties and supported by the Likud party. The first tried to eliminate language from the WZO constitution which stated that no delegate or organization can be discriminated against “based on origin, nationality, race or gender.” After we defeated it (I was the leader of our faction dealing with this amendment), we succeeded in getting that section of the constitution amended to also include sexuality and religious streams to the list of things for which one cannot be discriminated against in the WZO. The other, tried to make it “kosher” to call any group of Jews a Jewish community worthy of sending delegates to the WZO. For example, this would allow <i>Chabad</i>, who sends emissaries all over the globe, to be able to claim that one <i>Chabadnik</i> living in a hut in the jungle is a Jewish community and therefore his Zionist party could claim more communal delegates. It was kind of humorous; kind of not so funny!<br /><br />We finished our three hour session on this with three minutes to spare and without the kind of yelling and screaming (and we’ve been told about past furniture throwing) that these sessions are reputed to have been like in the past (we certainly heard much more yelling form other meeting rooms). Then all the delegated were sent on mini afternoon-long missions in Israel to scout the land, so to speak. Our delegation’s first stop was to a school that the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, picked for us – in East Jerusalem. It was an Arab, all girls, high school. The school was in good condition and the girls all wear uniforms, most had their heads covered a few had makeup on and they seemed like typical teenage girls, giggling with friends in the halls and being shy towards strangers like us. We were asked to teach them about MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Even though they get instruction in English, they didn’t speak enough English to really grasp the text without the teacher translating it for them. What was shocking was that their Hebrew, having lived in Jerusalem all of their lives, wasn’t up to the task either. We later learned that the girls learn from a curriculum from the Israeli Ministry of Education specifically for Palestinians, which differs from the curriculum at both Jewish public schools and Israeli Arab public schools. By contrast, no Israeli teen (these girls are not Israeli citizens even though they have lived their whole lives in Israel’s capitol city) speaks English as poorly as these girls. The <i>mifgash</i>, or interaction, was still upbeat and once outside of the classroom in the front yard of the school they seemed a little freer to be themselves and even asked me to be in a selfie! It was odd to see the girls, at their age being dismissed in groups instead of just heading home. When we inquired as to why, we were told that a student was shot last week, a girl, whom a Jewish man on the street accused of threatening him. He shot her in the arm 12 times. He fled and is unidentified and she has been at Hadassah Hospital where she has already undergone two surgeries. It was a good meeting, but reminded us all of the tense situation right now.<br /><br />Next, we went to the ancient Dormition Abbey church, where the Virgin Mary died according to Christian tradition. We met the priest, who is a German national. He began by saying how pleased he was that we were there and said that he was sorry for what his people had done to ours throughout history and the Holocaust in particular. He then told us about the church and about how in each of the last three years, the church has been vandalized by Jewish extremists, who graffitied in Hebrew words from the Aleinu (traditionally understood as saying that Jews are better than all other peoples) and tried to burn down the church each time. Another time the graffiti likened Christians to monkeys. All told, millions of dollars of damage was done to one of the oldest historical sites in Jerusalem in what are known as “Price Tag” attacks – exerting a price for a perceived wrong, or to trying to get people to leave. The priest chanted a Psalm of peace, we sang a peace song. He said he took great solace from our group because Orthodox rabbis will never come to meet with him, and because our fellow Reform congregations in Israel send letters of support and comfort every time the church is attacked. It gives him hope to continue with his ministry in Israel.<br /><br />Our last stop was at the Kotel, the Western Wall, in two stages. First, we went to the Azarat Yisrael, the egalitarian section at the Wall. There, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the President of the Reform Movement, addressed us and informed us of the progress to have a real egalitarian section at the Wall. You see, the existing section is hidden away where no one can find it, below ground level and, where the plaza meets the wall, it is so small that you cannot have more than 10 people there at a time. Our Temple Israel Mission went there this summer and took advantage of the moving ability to be together as families, but our group couldn’t get to the wall at the same time. Part of the group had to wait at the upper platform for the others to finish before getting a turn. Rabbi Jacobs assured us that the work continues and that the government is trying to find a solution to this issue. From there, we went to the Kotel Plaza, and where we are forced to separate men and women, we held a service – men and women together. It was a moving service, led by Rabbi Jacobs and musician Peri Smilow. It was emotional for our group to pray at the holiest spot in Judaism, trying to connect with the divine, where Jews have prayed for thousands of years, but being worried that we might be arrested by the police of the Jewish people or be spat upon by the ultra-Orthodox, or maybe even worse.<br /><br />In the beginning, we were praying with our eyes moving side to side, making sure we were safe. But, as we sang out our prayers, we became more and more comfortable – even with the eyes of Haredi children on us like animals in the zoo, even with some Haredi men yelling at us, even with the lackey of the rabbi in charge of the Kotel trying to get the police to arrest us. In the end, Anat Hoffman, Director of the Israel Religious Action Center and a leader of Women of the Wall (who has been spat upon, beaten, arrested and harassed for praying at the Wall for more than 25 years), convinced the police officer in charge that it wouldn’t be a great idea to arrest the global Reform delegation, here in town for the World Zionist Congress, including our “chief rabbi.” No policeman wants to wind up on the front page of a newspaper. So, knowing that our prayers would soon end, he looked the other way.<br /><br />We finished with the singing of <i>Hatikva</i>. That <i>Hatikva </i>rang as true as ever and reflected exactly why we are here in Jerusalem: the hope of what Zionism can be has not yet been realized. The “hope” of <i>Hatikva </i>was to be “a free people in our own land.” We certainly have achieved our own land, but if Jews are afraid of arrest or bodily harm for praying in Israel the way we would in any other civilized country, we are not yet free. Our work at the Congress has been focused on this very issue. In the last day of the Congress, this is where the work of all of our supporters, all those votes, will come to fruition – we will use our rights to move Israel and the National Institutions towards a freer, more egalitarian future. It might seem cliché to quote Theodore Herzl at the WZO, but “if we will it, it is no dream!” If we will a better Israel and are willing to do the hard work to achieve it, we will. And we will it with all our hearts!<br /><br /><i>If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand wither and may my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth; If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy! Psalm 137:5-6</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYeHWFvS9Qk/VikOVfE_whI/AAAAAAAAAZs/L2_6rEWkYIg/s1600/10295724_10205430726793875_2077666774659741635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYeHWFvS9Qk/VikOVfE_whI/AAAAAAAAAZs/L2_6rEWkYIg/s320/10295724_10205430726793875_2077666774659741635_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiBoeHkzvbk/VikOVW7AUXI/AAAAAAAAAZk/gbyDh_fAM9c/s1600/11063671_10205430726353864_1809608362113992117_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiBoeHkzvbk/VikOVW7AUXI/AAAAAAAAAZk/gbyDh_fAM9c/s320/11063671_10205430726353864_1809608362113992117_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OarZqjmL1Kk/VikOVhGcjyI/AAAAAAAAAZo/OP0hYBSeoJQ/s1600/12027563_10205430726313863_9171269132910755578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OarZqjmL1Kk/VikOVhGcjyI/AAAAAAAAAZo/OP0hYBSeoJQ/s320/12027563_10205430726313863_9171269132910755578_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANO1pUar0Dk/VikOVy3gl1I/AAAAAAAAAZw/L1eDKaFe6AA/s1600/12108245_10205430727033881_8908707008476960290_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANO1pUar0Dk/VikOVy3gl1I/AAAAAAAAAZw/L1eDKaFe6AA/s320/12108245_10205430727033881_8908707008476960290_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DdcZgdDPX8/VikOV94YkyI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/d8dRDHTqlXI/s1600/12112304_10205430726513868_3528513260488819788_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DdcZgdDPX8/VikOV94YkyI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/d8dRDHTqlXI/s320/12112304_10205430726513868_3528513260488819788_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>&nbsp;</i></div>Temple NewRochellehttps://plus.google.com/103014315063418644162noreply@blogger.com0